RECENT RELEASES - We love these to bits
PLEASE CLICK ON THE SUB PAGES ON THE LEFT FOR FULL LISTINGS OF RELEASES WE STOCKED LAST YEAR
VARIOUS ARTISTS - Deutsche Elektronische Musik
(Experimental German Rock & Electronic Musik 1972 - 83)
2CD - £10.99
Soul Jazz Records, producers of the best compilations in the world ever, turn their hand to 'Krautrock'. The quality is first rate as usual, and there is some fabulous music lurking in here. If you're a German music fan or brand new to the stuff, this is still an essential purchase. Bands include Neu!, Can, Harmonia, Faust, Cluster etc.etc..
STEVE MASON - Boys Outside
CD - £9.99
LP - £15.99
Steve Mason was the leader of the much missed Beta Band, and after spells as King Biscuit Time and Black Affair, has finally released the album we knew he had in him. A fine set of songs across a range of styles sees him hit a creative peak."Delightful" - SearchMuze; "Teems with Joy and catchy choruses" - The Guardian
THE SOFT PACK -The Soft Pack 
CD - £10.99
LP - £16.99
Cracking debut from this indie rock outfit from San Diego, that used to be known as the Muslims. If you're into stuff like the Strokes, early REM, Black Lips, The Woodentops, or The Feelies, this is guaranteed to rock your boat.The album's packed full of energy and hooks, and as soon as it's over, you want it back on.
THE Xx - xx
CD - £9.99
LP - £15.99
Another album to creep slowly up on us over time, now we're smitten. Beautifully sparse production and excellent lyrically, this is a late night joy."Seductively special"-The Observer, "Stunning" - NME, "Confoundingly good" - Uncut.
MIDLAKE - The Courage of Others
CD - £9.99
LP - £14.99
At first this album left us cold; deep freeze stuff. Now, after hearing the songs live, we think it's the most glorious thing yet this year - rich, multi-textured, epic even. Dark and minor key based it maybe, but massively rewarding given time. What a band!
FOUR TET - There is Love In You 
CD - £9.99
LP - £14.99
First album in five years from electronic artist Kieran Hebden, and very wonderful it is too. Melodic and accessible, with one eye on the dancefloor and the other on the sky. The feedback we're getting instore suggests that this will be one of the best albums of the year.
DEER TICK - Born On Flag Day
CD - £9.99
Raucous, raw country rock that brings to mind Green on Red and Felice Brothers, but also steeped in the traditions of Hank Williams and Patsy Cline. This is a belter of a second album from this young Nashville band, and the sleeve depicts main songwriter John Joseph McCauley III as a man who's in it for the long haul. Can't stop playing this!
ESPERS - 3
(Wichita)
LP - £14.99
CD - £9.99
Philadelphia based outfit who have made some of the best music to come out of the new psych-folk movement. This is quite glorious , even by their own standards, and had Mojo in a tizz - "brilliantly atmospheric, more chilling than chilled, but also, frequently, very beautiful" . Definately should have been in our top 25 of the year - doh!
MONSTERS OF FOLK - Monsters of Folk
CD - £9.99
LP - £14.99
Unkindly called the Traveling Wilburys of the Alt.Country set, Monsters of Folk are Jim James, M.Ward, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis. If those names mean anything to you, you know the potential. If not, then let us recommend this to you. This is not just some supergroup vanity project, it's four top talents taking their time to blend together and make a highly enjoyable, eclectic album.
THE UNTHANKS - Here's the Tender Coming
CD - £11.99
Rachel Unthank and the Winterset released 'The Bairns' album to great aclaim last year, and this is even better in our opinion. Sister Becky has commited to the band full time, hence the name change, but whatever the reason we say they've made a folk masterpiece. We even blubbed listening to it the other morning. Must be gannin' soft, like.
BETH JEANS HOUGHTON - Hot Toast Vol.1
CD - £5.99
She's 19, she's bonkers, and has delivered a five track EP full of such life, imagination and great tunes to leave us totally smitten. Please come and play in our shop Beth - we're only 300 miles away!
LEVON HELM - Electric Dirt
CD - £11.99
This has caused quite a buzz in the shop as people realised just how good an album this really was! Covers of songs by The Grateful Dead, Staple Singers, Muddy Waters, and Randy Newman and an excellent original in 'Growing Trade' make for a brilliantly soulful album. Highly recommended!
(NB. For those who aren't aware, Levon was the drummer and a main songwriter for a little outfit called The Band)
DJ Yoda - Fabriclive
CD - £8.99
This was released late last year, but is now available at a far more reasonable price, and it gives us chance to remind you what a crackin' mix it is - probably one of the best ever. All sorts of musical styles, from Hip Hop to Indie, effortless mixing and a huge dollop of humour make this a summer essential.
WHITE DENIM - Fits
CD - £6.99
LP - £12.99
A game of two halves, Brian. Brain melting sonic assault rock and roll on side one and softer song based mellower grooves on side two. The Cd has a 30 sec. gap to allow your mind to readjust! Crazy boys, big big album. 
DINOSAUR JR. - Farm
CD - £9.99
LP - £15.99
A Career highpoint for J.Mascis and co., and sticking our neck out, we're going to speculate that this is possibly the best U.S. rock album since 'Nevermind'. Just Awesome, it packs a real emotional punch, and is mastered SO LOUD it'll take yer 'ead off. Lovely 180g vinyl package, with free poster and download.
THE DECEMBERISTS - The Hazards of Love
CD - £8.99
LP - £16.99
Portland, Oregon's Decemberists are one of the more baroque and literate bands operating in the independant field, but even by their standards, this is epic. It's also flippin' brilliant; essentially a concept album about a doomed marriage, folk mixes with Metal riffs, a childrens choir, and orchestral strings(which all in all would normally send us running to the hills), and somehow they pull it off with a great humanity and melodies to die for.
SONIC YOUTH - The Eternal
Cd - £9.99
Lp - £14.99
Blistering album from Sonic Youth. Their last - Rather Ripped - was excellent, but this is even better. With cover art by the late John Fahey, the double 180g vinyl package is particularly yummy. 
STEVE EARLE - Townes
CD - £10.99
LP - Import - silly price
Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I will stand on Bob Dylans coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that. Steve Earle (1995)
Steve Earle's new album Townes, is his highly anticipated follow up to the Grammy Award winning album Washington Square Serenade, on New West Records. The 15-song set is comprised of songs written by Earles friend and mentor, the late singer-songwriter, Townes Van Zandt and features several guest appearances. It's Brilliant!
THE FELICE BROTHERS -'Yonder is the Clock'
CD - £12.99
Limited LP w/free download- £19.99
This band are a great discovery! One of the best to come out of the States in a long while, they write bruised and brilliant country songs with the spirit of Dylan and the Band in a barnstorming style. Highly recommended! ( UNCUT Album of the Month )
ALSO AVAILABLE BY THE FELICE BROTHERS:-
THE DEBUT - 'Tonight at the Arizona' CD - £7.99
THEIR SECOND -'The Felice Brothers' CD - £9.99 LP - £12.99
TOSCA - No Hassle
2CD - £9.99
LP - £11.99
Tosca are Richard Dorfmeister and Rupert Huber, and this laid back Austrian duo's fifth album is a lush ambient classic - mellow on the ear, but with enough invention to repay closer attention. Every time we play this in the shop, it sells. If we listened to it all the time, we'd be rich! But that would be silly.
CAMERA OBSCURA - 'My Maudlin Career'
CD - £5.99
LP - Currently unavailable
Career high-point from this Scottish band - simply gorgeous indie-pop
THE PHANTOM BAND - 'Checkmate Savage'
CD - £6.99
Early contender for Album of the Year from this Glaswegian band, whose musical influences seem to draw from a wide range of styles, from Can to the Bad Seeds via The Pixies, yet they've come up with an album that just grows and grows in stature with every play.